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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 082812-N - Oppose Salamandar EndangerRES©Llit 71Ot.a N©< °VISIo1-(4 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, TO OPPOSE THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE S PROPOSED RULE TO LIST THREE SALAMANDER SPECIES THAT OCCUR IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY AS ENDANGERED AND /OR THREATENED UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT WHEREAS, on August 21, 2012, the U S Fish and Wildlife Service ("Service") published a proposed rule to list the Georgetown salamander, Jollyville Plateau salamander, and Salado salamander ("Salamanders") as endangered and/or threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act ("ESA"); and WHEREAS, the Service states that populations of the Salamanders are declining and in danger of extinction due to increased development, declining water quality, and declining water quantity; and WHEREAS, in recognition of the RHCP conservation actions that benefit the species, the Service had reduced the Georgetown salamander's Listing Priority Number from a 2 to an 8, indicating that there is no imminent threat to the species; and WHEREAS, listing the Salamanders under the ESA will result in additional federal regulatory compliance requirements for development projects within the City of Georgetown, increasing the cost of development; and WHEREAS, increasing the cost of development will reduce the number of homes built and increase the cost to own a home, decreasing the City's tax base, jeopardize the City's ability to attract jobs and investments, and generally hinder economic growth; and WHEREAS, independent review of past and current Service and City of Austin Salamander data demonstrates that prior theories of Salamander decline are not statistically Resolution Number: 07 (97id►i 1 Opposition to Listing of Salamanders as Endangered and/or Threatened Page l of 4 Date of Approval: Q 1oi I' a valid, and despite an increase in development throughout Central Texas, the Salamanders exist in essentially all of their known historic range and new locations continue to be found; and WHEREAS, independent testing has shown that water quality and stream sediment have shown no degradation even in highly -developed areas; and WHEREAS, there is substantial disagreement regarding the sufficiency or accuracy of the available data, which warrants an extension of the one-year period before the Service publishes a final listing decision; and WHEREAS, the City of Georgetown has long enforced stringent water quality regulations both within the city limits and extraterritorial jurisdiction, which include all TCEQ Best Management Practices for water quality mitigation and further stormwater design requirements that preserve natural drainage patterns and riparian corridors for aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, limit impervious cover to prevent erosion, and maintain infiltration and recharge of local seeps and springs. The City of Georgetown implements impervious cover limitations above and beyond TCEQ requirements for the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, including 45% maximum impervious cover for residential developments, 70% maximum impervious for commercial projects less than 5 acres, and 55% maximum impervious cover for projects over 5 acres, with potential waivers up to 70% for low -impact site design methods including, but not limited to, bio-retention facilities, wet ponds, and preservation of stream buffers and riparian corridors. The City of Georgetown has taken further steps to retain natural open space and protect water quality through review and issuance of stormwater permits for all land disturbances; a tree preservation and mitigation ordinance for both non-residential and residential developments; parkland dedication requirements ensuring corridor protection of the Resolution Number: ©g c er 9 - iJ Opposition to Listing of Salamanders as Endangered and/or Threatened Page 2 of 4 c7 Date of Approval: p Q f » 0 I a" three forks of the San Gabriel River; and a conservation subdivision ordinance that requires at least a 35% set -aside for conservation open space within such development projects, including land for Threatened or Endangered Species habitat; and WHEREAS, as part of the Service -approved Williamson County Regional Habitat Conservation Plan ("RHCP"), the Williamson County Conservation Foundation ("Foundation") is in the middle of a 5-year study of the Georgetown salamander and will soon initiate a study of the Jollyville Plateau salamander in the coming months, and WHEREAS, based on the questionable sufficiency or accuracy of the studies the Service is basing their decisions on, independent studies that show that water quality has not been impacted and that there are healthily and numerous salamander populations in the County, and that the Foundation's studies, which will generate statistically valid data on the Salamander populations in Williamson County, have not been completed; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, THAT: SECTION 1. The City Council is the governing body of the City of Georgetown. SECTION 2. The facts and recitations contained in the preamble of this resolution are hereby found and declared to be true and correct, and are incorporated by reference herein and expressly made a part hereof, as if copied verbatim. The City Council hereby finds that this resolution complies with the Vision Statement of the City of Georgetown 2030 Comprehensive Plan; Resolution Number: () 798 8 o? 'N Opposition to Listing of Salamanders as Endangered and/or Threatened Page 3 of 4 ^ d Date of Approval: 0 p 0 Jf ; SECTION 3. The City of Georgetown opposes the Service's proposed rule to list the Georgetown salamander, Jollyville Plateau salamander, and Salado salamander as Endangered and/or .Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. SECTION 4. The Mayor is authorized to take any reasonable and necessary action to effectuate the direction and intention of this resolution. SECTION 5. This resolution shall be effective immediately upon adoption. RESOLVED this 02 day of August , 2012. Attest: THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN: ca Brettle By: George Garver Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM: T Th Bridget Cha'nc Acting City Attorney Mayor Resolution Number: 0 ? agf 3-1 "' Opposition to Listing of Salamanders as Endangered and/or Threatened Page4of4 �jr Date of Approval: 6 % a 8/ abk-